Cultural Diversity at LKE

About Us

The Cultural Diversity Committee at Lakewood Elementary creates programs that celebrate and educate our community about cultural diversity. Our goal is to help students appreciate cultural differences while also taking pride in their own heritage.

The committee is sponsored by Elise Fee (Lakewood Elementary Librarian) and Manasi Sharma-Kapoor (volunteer parent), with support from the LKE PTO.

We welcome new ideas, volunteers, and families who would like to share their traditions. If you’d like to get involved, please reach out through the PTO!

Cultural Diversity Initiatives at LKE

Holiday Express (December)

Each December, the Cultural Diversity Committee partners with the library to transform it into a Holiday Express train station, where students receive “train tickets” and journey through different “stops” highlighting holidays celebrated around the world—Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid, and Kwanzaa. During their library time, students explore artifacts, videos, and displays about global holidays, participate in a “show and tell” to share a favorite tradition or artifact, and enjoy a reading of The Polar Express to close out their visit.

Holiday Express 2024

Multicultural Festival (March 27, 2026)

Join us for the 2026 Multicultural Festival on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the LKMS Commons!

This hands-on, community-wide event will feature:

• Cultural tables hosted by families, showcasing artifacts, crafts, clothing, jewelry, food samples, and more
  
  
• Student performances with music and cultural dance
  
  
• Interactive displays where students and families can experience traditions from around the world
  
  

If you’d like to host a table or join our team, please reach out to the PTO. You might bring decorations, food, music, clothing, posters, or anything that helps visitors experience your culture in an authentic way.

In 2026, Lakewood Elementary will proudly join with Lakewood Middle School and Sunset Ridge Elementary to host this special event.

Lakewood’s Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the many cultures that make up our school community. It’s a chance for families to “travel the world” without leaving Lakewood—building awareness, appreciation, and connection across cultures.

Multicultural Festival 2025